Do you have a healthy, happy pet?

63% of all homes in the U.S. have pets according to a 2007/2008 Survey

Have you ever thought about that question or just presumed that everything was fine as they were still there when you got home.  Isn't pets running away an expression of their discomfort with the conditions at home.

They have others ways of expressing themselves too.  They become hostile, or don't like to be bothered by anyone other then their chosen master.  They create no-no's in the house, better still on your bed.  They can also become disinterested in their surroundings and do not respond to any stimulus at all.  The worst one is they are bored.  Some people in order to avoid the in-house scenarios, simply crate their pet into a cage where the pet will wait all day for someone to come home.  It certainly keeps the house in order but what does it do to the animal besides weakening their kidneys? 

So What can you do to have a happy, healthy pet?

Getting a pet for a family home should actively include all members of the family.  What kind of pet would best suit your environment?  Should it be a small or large pet?  Dog, cat or other type of beastie which suits the collective personality of your home.  What type of budget have you set aside to support your intended addition.  It is really like adding a new family member as they ideally will be with you a long time.  Who is the pet primarily intended for?  What is the age of that person and what is the expected longevity of the animal.  If a 14 year old teenager sets their heart on getting a German Sheppard  and you expect that same teenager to go to college in 4 years, who is really getting the Pet?  You are of course.  So right at the onset you can minimize going down this path and some of the irritants that pets have to deal with. 

Another action by owners that can really spoil a pet's physiology is treating them as humans.   They are not humans, even though they do express some endearments that can make it confusing for all parties.

Having said that however, they are living entities that do have specific requirements:

• They need their own place  where they can go to when they need time out and sleep
• This area needs to kept clean.  The bedding is washed on a regular basis and vermin control exercised

• Grooming, brushing and bathing are also vital.  We had a cat that would fight to get into  the shower.  He loved it.
• Pets  need exercise.  One book recommended a dog needed 2 hours per day walking?
• They need regular veterinary checkups
• They need your personal love and attention on a regular basis.  This doesn't include overfeeding, over-indulging and lack of discipline
• Pets should be included in family activities as much as possible
• They should be fed a proper diet.

The last item on the above list is usually served by the owners buying widely-advertised canned animal foods that have preservatives, colorants, additives and artificial flavoring.   Many owners have a time with their pets trying to find a product that the animal will eat.  Do you know what is actually in the food you are trying to encourage your pet to eat?  There is a fair amount of information in that regard on the Internet.  Animals actually prefer mostly raw or slightly cooked food, which they need to maintain their health.  So how can you do that?  Have you notice that most pets never refuse food from the table? 

Well, you can make your pet food yourself; it isn't hard. 

For a dog's breakfast you could feed them whole grain cereals soaked in cold water overnight and fortified with a fresh egg and some milk.  Bones from the butchers.  Table scraps, you would be surprised how many raw fruit and vegetables animals are very willing to eat.  Every week cook up a pot of barley broth, when edible add a pound of pork liver, cut up in bite size and just heat through, don't boil. Or, to add variety to their diet on an alternate week, cook up a pot of pork kidney and heart stew, with shredded carrots, onions and potatoes in it.  There will be no issues with this food and your dog eating it.

For a cat's diet buy fish when it is cheap and in season.  They like herring and salmon trimmings that you can get from the fish shop.  Discuss with the staff what you are doing and generally they will save little tidbits for you that will make your cat ecstatic.  When you get your cat food home make up little, per serving baggies and freeze them.  Thaw before feeding.  Oh, and cats should be given catnip at least once a week.  Add one more luxury for your cat - their very own catnip pillow for napping on.

Of course all pets need a tonic for their supplemental care. 

"Oh God," you say, "I can't do that.  I don't have time."

Okay.  These people can do it for you.